In its most basic form Oxidation is a chemical reaction with oxygen. Example: the oxidation of Methane (formula). In this example, molecular Oxygen is the oxidizing agent and the substance reacting with oxygen (methane) is called the reducing agent. Confusingly the reducing agent (Methane) can also be called an oxidizable gas. Compounds containing oxygen can yield oxygen in a reaction and are also called oxidizing agents. Oxidation is a reciprocal process in which one agent is reduced and one oxidized. A more complete way of describing oxidation is through the transfer of electrons. The substance oxidized loses electrons. The substance reduced gains electrons. Under suitable conditions, the oxidation-reduction reaction produces a flow of current.

A combination of atmosphere-powder reactions that can extract oxygen or deposit oxygen in a powder compact during heating, especially during debinding and sintering. Reduction conditions are usually required for sintered metallic materials.

Oxidation-reduction refers to any chemical oxidation or reduction reaction, which must comprise both oxidation (to increase the positive charge or valence of an atom by removing electrons) and reduction (to decrease the valence of an atom by adding electrons). In other words, the reactions reverse each other. Oxidation- reduction is often shortened to "redox".